The road to achieving one’s dreams always takes a little bit of sacrifice.
Such sacrifices often demand a lot from a person — something that BINI’s Sheena knows quite well. As the youngest member of BINI, the 20-year-old P-pop idol joined ABS-CBN’s Star Hunt Academy program on the cusp of her teenage years at the mere age of fifteen years old.
Moving from Santiago City in Isabela to Metro Manila to pursue a career in showbiz is a big sacrifice, although it’s one that has ultimately paid off in the five years that have passed since her debut as part of BINI. While she’s grateful for the resulting success and abundance of opportunities that she has been given, Sheena opens up to Billboard Philippines about the personal costs of her career — particularly the loss of her teenage years.
“I feel like I lost my teenage life,” she confesses, with a mixture of nostalgia and resolve in her voice. “I left my family when I was 15, and I’m 20 now. And it’s been almost six years of my life. ‘Yung nakakalaban naman natin lahat is time. (What we’re really fighting against is time.) You know, they’re getting old — and I’m getting old.”
While BINI has become a household name all over the Philippines, she reflects on her decision to achieve her dreams as one that was both exhilarating and daunting. Given how the bright lights of Metro Manila beckoned her to take a giant leap of faith into a world of hard work, public scrutiny, and perpetual motion, Sheena — like the other members — has had to balance the pressure of their skyrocketing fame with the sacrifice of her personal time — especially time with her family.
Photographed by Shaira Luna.
“You know, my family still lives in Isabela, like [it’s] very far. Nasa probinsya talaga sila (They really live in the province). So time for family ‘yung pinaka-na-sacrifice ko, kasi ‘di naman ako tigil dito (So I really sacrificed time for my family, since I wasn’t about to stop doing this),” she says. As much as she tries to visit them as much as she can, the group’s busy schedule often demands otherwise, as they find themselves preoccupied with numerous events, shoots, and whatnot.
“[Nowadays] I’m fine about it, but there’s also the factor of school. Like, we stopped our education for this. Pero [thanks to management], at least nag-homeschool na ulit kami (But thanks to management, we were able to be homeschooled).”
Despite the personal cost, Sheena remains focused on the bigger picture. She values the connection she shares with her fans, the BLOOMs, and the importance of their unwavering support. “Our fans drive us to keep pushing forward,” she says. “Nung una palang (At first), we’ve made it a point to share our journey with them. Kasi parang (Because) we owe so much to them. Gusto namin (We want) to achieve a lot of things with them.”
Even amidst the group’s success, Sheena has remained grounded — a quality that she credits to her upbringing and her close-knit group of fellow BINI members. The group, known for their infectious energy and tight bond, keeps each other humble and focused on their shared purpose. Sheena admits that, while the spotlight can be overwhelming at times, her connection to the people around her helps keep her feet firmly on the ground.
“Feeling ko ‘yung pagiging (my being) grounded, it comes naturally with me, and with BINI being ourselves,” she mentions. “May mga ibang tao kasi, kapag sumikat, wala na. Biglang lalaki na yung ulo. Pero even before nung di pa kami sikat, sinasabihan kami, ‘pag sumikat kayong lahat –– huwag kayong lalaki ng ulo.’ Tapos kaming BINI girls, tumawa nalang kami kasi hindi naman bagay. (There are some people who become arrogant when they become famous. Back then, people warned us to not become arrogant with fame. We just laughed it off because we’re naturally humble),” she adds, bursting into laughter.
“Parang hindi naman bagay pag naging mayabang kami (Arrogance just doesn’t suit us),” she continues. “Parang ang kapal [tuloy] ng mukha namin (We ended up seeming arrogant).”
While so much has changed for both Sheena and her fellow BINI members, she notes how nothing has changed much between the group’s dynamic and interactions with the people that they work with. Sure, they’ve earned the title of the Philippines’ No. 1 artist, they’ve sold out several huge concerts, and they have two songs in the Top 10 of the Billboard Philippines’ year-end charts — but they’re still the same girls from the time that the BINI project first started.
“I mean, it never really hit us na we’re this high or above everyone else. We’re still us. Ang difference lang ay mas marami nang tao nakatingin sa amin (The only difference is that more people are watching us). Pero at the same time, mas marami ng tao nakaka-appreciate sa amin (But at the same time, more people appreciate us). So, we always make sure to stay humble.”
Photographed by Shaira Luna.
She fondly recalls some of the group’s early days, wherein they would eat at a Korean samgyeopsal restaurant after training as a means of bonding with one another. “Rine-request namin ‘yung song namin noon, yung ‘Born To Win,’ pero yung ipa-play, ibang ‘Born To Win’ (We would request them to play our song ‘Born To Win,’ but they end up playing a different ‘Born To Win'”),” she laughs. Injecting her signature humor to lighten the mood, Sheena continues, “And alam naman [namin] if ever lalaki ‘yung ulo naming BINI girls, sobrang dali nang kunin ito ni Lord sa amin — if ipakita namin na hindi ito deserved (We know that if fame gets to our heads, it’ll be easy for the Lord to take it all away if we show that we don’t deserve it),” she jokes.
Despite her packed schedule, Sheena has learned the importance of taking time for herself. The grueling demands of being in a popular (and very much in-demand) girl group mean that moments of rest are rare, but when she gets the chance, Sheena cherishes her downtime. “We’re grateful for our busy schedule, but rest is so important. It’s rare, pero (but) whenever I get the chance, I really rest,” Sheena explains.
Her approach to rest contrasts with that of her BINI members, some of whom prefer to go out, travel the world, and spend time with friends during their downtime. For Sheena, it’s all about staying grounded and recharging in her own space. “For me, I just like to stay at home and fully rest. Kasi talaga, tine-treasure ko ‘yung rest kasi bihira lang siya (I really treasure my rest time because it’s rare),” she says.
“So, hindi ako [‘yung mahilig] lumabas (I don’t like going out). Okay na ako mag-isa (I’m okay being alone). I like my me time,” she notes with a smile of contentment.
As BINI continues to break barriers in the music industry, Sheena is acutely aware of the challenges the group faces. They have fought for their place in a competitive industry, and they continue to prove their worth — not just as artists, but as empowered women who stand up for themselves.
“We’ve always believed in our worth,” Sheena says confidently. “May mga tao na nag-doubt sa amin nung una, but proud ako na (There were people who doubted us in the beginning, but I’m proud that) we’ve worked hard to show that we’re not just here to be part of the trend. We’re here to stay.”
Sheena also acknowledges the responsibility that comes with fame, particularly when it comes to their interaction with fans and the public. “We’re artists, yes, but that doesn’t mean people can own us or have the right to say whatever they want about us,” she asserts. “We’re not just here to please everyone. We’re here to create music that speaks to people and we will always do our best.”
Photographed by Shaira Luna.
It’s clear that for Sheena, BINI is not just a group — it’s a sisterhood of empowerment. She and her fellow members aim to be remembered as artists who fought for what they believed in, and who never compromised their values, no matter the pressure.
“We want to be remembered as the girls who fought for themselves,” Sheena says, her voice filled with pride. “We’re not afraid to stand up for what’s right, even if hindi ‘yun ‘yung (it wasn’t the) popular opinion. Kasi ‘yun ‘yung nagpapakita kung sino talaga kami (Because that’s what shows who we really are).”
Looking ahead, Sheena is optimistic about what’s to come. Despite the sacrifices she’s made, she remains driven by the vision of what BINI can achieve, both as a group and individually. “I’m so glad of what we have achieved in our goals,” she says with a smile. “We are super grateful. Kasi totoo, tagal namin itong hinintay (Because we waited a long time for this).”
Sheena’s journey is far from over, and while she may have sacrificed much of her teenage years in pursuit of her dreams, she knows that the sacrifices will be worth it in the end. “Sa next songs namin, kapag marinig mo na siya, there’s something different na (You’ll hear something different in the next songs). Proud and grateful talaga ako sa mga nagagawa namin [as BINI] and hopefully, makita niyo pa na mas marami pa kaming mabibigay sa mga Pilipino (I’m proud and grateful for everything we’ve done as BINI, and hopefully we’ll be able to give Filipinos more),” she concludes.
For Sheena, it’s not just about fame, success, or accolades. It’s about staying true to herself, her family, and her fans, while continuing to evolve as an artist and as a person. The girl who left her family in Isabela at fifteen is now a symbol of resilience, strength, and the power of pursuing your dreams — no matter the cost.
Read BINI’s Global No. 1’s digital cover story here.
Photographed by Shaira Luna. Creative Direction by Alannah Mitra. Art Direction by Nicole Almero. Styling by Quayn Pedroso. Makeup by Angeline Tan (Maloi, Mikha, Gwen, & Stacey). Makeup by Theresa Padin (Colet, Aiah, Sheena, & Jhoanna). Hair by July Vito (Stacey, Aiah, Colet, & Sheena). Hair by Cristine Benoman (Jhoanna, Mikha, Gwen, & Maloi). Photography assistants Emelito Lansangan & Albert Calaguas. Styling assistant Renan Pacson. Produced by Mika Cruz.
Featured artwork by Orley Ypon, Blooming Flowers in Pussian (Alcala, Cagayan Valley)